2020 Nissan Altima
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 125 |
| 1994 | 113 |
| 1995 | 180 |
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 123 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 160 |
| 2001 | 159 |
| 2002 | 1047 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 471 |
| 2008 | 1028 |
| 2009 | 1547 |
| 2010 | 380 |
| 2011 | 241 |
| 2012 | 425 |
| 2013 | 2308 |
| 2014 | 1114 |
| 2015 | 952 |
| 2016 | 553 |
| 2017 | 391 |
| 2018 | 225 |
| 2019 | 230 |
| 2020 | 178 |
| 2021 | 70 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
25% of complaints: electrical system — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and key/sender.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Vehicle caught on fire while inside home @ 4:00am cst. Fire department and police department were at the scene as well. Fire department was forced to pry open the trunk to stop fire from spreading.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230912
Also filed under ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I currently own a 2020 Nissan Altima with 49,186 miles and I am reporting a recurring power door lock failure. This vehicle was inspected at the Nissan of Cumming location this morning to confirm the issue.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260730
Both passenger-side and driver's side rear door lock mechanisms ceased working. They do not work when attempting to lock/unlock the doors from the inside controls in the front seat.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260720
20% of complaints: engine — 36 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
When I am driving my car randomly states check engine and makes a beeping noise and then the engine starts to make some type of combustion noise and then slows down and then turns off.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260726
19% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 34 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing warnings and automatic emergency braking.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the auto-braking system unexpectedly activated, and there was a grinding sound coming from the brakes; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260714
Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES and LANE DEPARTURE
11% of complaints: steering — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly.
CRASH INJURY10% of complaints: service brakes — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200721
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONTACT STATED SHORTLY AFTER THEY PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLE THEY NOTICED THE HOOD OF THEIR VEHICLE WOULD NOT ALIGN PROPERLY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200427
Also filed under LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SAFETY TIMELINE
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.
Campaign 20V570000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima S grade vehicles equipped with Continental ProContact TX tires, size 215/60 R16 H, with TIN date code 3320 and Mold ID S-419149. The tires may have been over cured.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-8677669.
Campaign 20V685000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021.
Campaign 21V138000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 21V169000 — check if this car was fixed
Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Campaign 23V628000 — check if this car was fixed
Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Campaign 25V437000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2020 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (45 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (36 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for forward collision avoidance issues (34 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 20V570000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V685000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V138000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V169000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V628000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V437000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2020 Nissan Altima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Nissan Altima is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Altima?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Altima have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.